In February 2026, the “V.I.T.A.L. – Vital initiative for Telemedicine Aid and Livelihood” project was launched in the Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk regions.
The project is funded by the Italian Cooperation.
Due to the war, access to medical services in these regions is severely limited: many hospitals have been damaged, and for the elderly, people with disabilities, or those who cannot move independently, accessing care is often extremely difficult. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in frontline areas, 30–60% of the population lacks consistent access to medical services.
The V.I.T.A.L. project is implemented by teams from Caritas Kharkiv and Caritas Kamyanske and provides continuous, safe, and comprehensive access to essential medical services through remote medical consultations, homecare, psychosocial support, and livelihood support for those in need.
All services are provided by experienced professionals – doctors, nurses, psychologists, social workers, and caregivers – who work in coordination with local institutions and communities.
V.I.T.A.L. builds on the experience of previous initiatives, such as the S.U.P.E.R. project implemented by Caritas Ukraine in collaboration with Caritas Italiana and funded by the Italian Cooperation. It aims to ensure that residents of remote and high-risk communities are not left alone to cope with their needs.
Who the project helps:
– Elderly people living alone and their caregivers,
– People with disabilities, people with chronic illnesses,
– Internally displaced persons,
– Pregnant women and mothers of young children,
– Low-income families and families in difficult life circumstances, and informal carers,
– Vulnerable households in rural communities.
Assistance will be provided according to the individual needs of each person and their family:
Online medical support (telemedicine consultations) will be provided to people who, due to health conditions, limited mobility, or remote residence, cannot easily access a doctor but require professional medical advice.
Sessions on infant and young child feeding in emergency situations (IYCF-E) will be provided to pregnant women and mothers of children of the appropriate age to strengthen their knowledge of healthy nutrition practices during pregnancy and in the first months of a child’s life.
Homecare services will be provided primarily to older adults and people with disabilities who have difficulty managing daily tasks and caring for themselves independently.
Psychosocial support will be provided to people who have experienced loss, stress, or traumatic events and require individual or group counseling with a psychologist. This assistance will also be provided to informal caregivers.
Vouchers for medications and rehabilitation equipment will be provided to those who lack sufficient funds to purchase necessary medications or rehabilitation aids.
Rehabilitation equipment rental services will be available to people who temporarily need crutches, walkers, wheelchairs, or other medical rehabilitation aids.
Social workers, psychologists, nurses, and volunteers will undergo training and professional development to enhance their skills and provide better assistance to project participants.
Agricultural kits will be provided to families so they can develop small-scale farms and improve their food security.
Vulnerable families will receive Unified Cash Transfer (UCT) to cover priority needs.
The V.I.T.A.L. project lays the groundwork for for long-term sustainability of assistance. Local services will receive established protocols and tools, and the training of over 70 specialists will help retain expertise within the communities. The equipment will remain available for future use, and some services will gradually be funded by government programs and other sources. Beneficiaries will learn to use resources responsibly, and families will receive support to become self-reliant. As a result, the project will continue to benefit the community even after funding ends.
Funded by the Italian Cooperation
V.I.T.A.L. – Vital initiative for Telemedicine Aid and Livelihood
AICS AID 24/UCR/013157
Collage – Caritas Ukraine, photos – Caritas Kharkiv, Caritas Kamianske
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